Health
THE newly built multi-million naira medical oxygen plant in Awka can meet the demands from health institutions in the South East, a top Government functionary has said.
Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Managing Director, Anambra State Oxygen Production Plant told newsmen in Awka on Wednesday, Aug. 7, that the plant was capable of producing 200 standard oxygen cylinders daily.
The plant, the current biggest in the South East, was built primarily to meet local demands from medical installations in Anambra that were always in need of it to save life.
“It is in a bid to ensure that emergency situations and many challenging health conditions of Ndi Anambra are met that informed the building of the plant\,’’ he said.
Ibezim said that the installation was strategically sited within the premises of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka.
“Oxygen is important to the human body, especially in cases of trauma as a result of accidents, contraction during labour or severe asthma, when certain levels of oxygen will be needed to resuscitate victims.
“The World Health Organisation, WHO, standard sets that you just don’t administer oxygen from the air; you need to give a certain percentage of oxygen to assist in the revival process.
“Oxygen content is set at 93 percent purity, plus or minus 3, which means the content must not get below 90 percent or above 96.
“You find out that the oxygen is not usually available in many health facilities in third world countries and that it is why Gov. Willie Obiano thought it wise to ensure that this scarce commodity is available to save life in medical centres in Anambra and environs,’’ he explained.
Ibezim, who doubles as Special Adviser to the governor on Indigenous Medicine and Herbal Practice, said that Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency, ANSIPPA, made a proposal for the plant since 2014.
According to him, the oxygen purity from this plant is assured, stressing that it will be distributed to all hospitals and primary health centres across the state.
He explained that the oxygen would be highly pressurised; it needs close monitoring to ascertain how it would circulate in the body because it is not meant for unregulated use.
He noted that Gov. Obiano has since directed that key medical personnel – doctors, nurses and certain grades of health workers on emergency services be trained on how to administer it to save life.
Ibezim said that COOUTH had since commenced the trial run of the oxygen and so far, no adverse reports had been received.
He assured that the oxygen would be made available to all health facilities that require them in the state.
Ibezim explained that the plant was automated, “immediately the purity level drops, it stops filling the cylinders.
“Those that produce this on commercial basis outside might not bother about this; but here we care, as it is about saving life and not really about profit-making.
“We ensure that right oxygen is administered to patients. Government will regulate the price because when government has hand in a business, it’s all about price control.
“Our cylinders are most modern and have its expiry date boldly inscribed on them in the production line,’’ he said.
“The normal pressure is set at 300, but we have decided to fill at 200 leaving a margin of 100 as safety index,’’ he said.
– Aug. 8, 2019 @ 18:39 GMT |
Tags: Anambra medical oxygen plant can serve health institutions from South East - Official
